Mother Prioress Pia LANSANG, OSB, and Sr. Agrippina ASHIPALA, OSB accompanied Sr. Erwina FRANS, OSB, Novice Mistress at that time to Ruacana together with a group of Novices who had finished their canonical novitiate. They arrived on 18 May 1998 and became the first community members of Ruacana community. The next day Mother Pia and Sr. Agrippina went to the headman’s homestead to report the arrival of the Sisters and to be assured of his approval for the establishment of a convent.
During the second week, parents started bringing their children, aged one to five, to be registered for the kindergarten. Initially, the classes were held under the trees and in the old church. Each novice had at least 30 children under her care.
A prefabricated building was later set up which became the house of the Sisters who were happy to have, at last, a house they could call their own. Towards the end of 2000, the construction of the Kindergarten began, and it was blessed on 28 July 2001 and given the name Father Andreas Amrhein. The convent of the Sisters was built in 2006 and blessed by Archbishop Liborius NASHENDA, OMI. In 2008, an attempt was made with adding a Grade 1 class to the Kindergarten, but after an evaluation had been made, it was discontinued as from January 2011. The parents regretted it and continued to ask and pray for the Kindergarten to become a Primary School. This long dream was finally fulfilled in 2024 when Fr. Andreas Amrhein Academy opened its doors with Grade 1- 7; a hostel was built and opened in 2025.
The Sisters’ apostolates in Ruacana are: Prayer, teaching and running Fr. Andreas Amrhein Kindergarten and Preschool, as well as Fr. Andreas Amrhein Academy; they are in charge of the parish sacristy and the liturgy in the church; teach catechism for First Holy Communion and Confirmation; do home visit to the poor, especially to Ovahimba people; participate in youth group; do gardening and other convent activities.
Community News
Latest News Here